Haipou Jadonang was remembered on his 90th Martyr Day with several organisations observing it at different places in Tamenglong and Noney districts.
Haipou Jadonang Death Anniversary Committee Tamenglong under the aegis of Zeliangrong Union on Sunday paid floral tributes to the martyr at the memorial site early Sunday. Leaders of Zeliangrong Union and Zeliangrong women union came together to offer floral tributes to the Naga freedom fighter Haipou Jadonang.
A formal programme was held at the conference hall of Zeliangrong House Tamenglong, chaired by Zeliangrong Union Tamenglong zone chairman SP Athui.
A silent prayer was held for the departed souls of Haipou Jadonang and former leaders of Zeliangrong.
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Due to the pandemic, the death anniversary observation was toned down this year.
Zeliangrong Union (AMN) vice president and Zeliangrong youth front former president Namdinang Daimei spoke on the brief history of Haipou Jadonang. He said that the leader was born in 1905 at Kambiron Puiluan Village in Nungba sub-division of Tamenglong. Haipou Jadonang was hanged for his campaign against the British against no hill house tax, no force labour etc., he added.
At his birth place in Puiluan (Kambiron) village in Nungba Sub-division of Noney district, the observation programme was jointly organised by Puiluan Village Authority and Haipou Jadonang Memorial Trust committee. It was attended by Kakching deputy commissioner and also intending candidate in 54-Nungba Assembly seat Dinganglung Gangmei as chief guest.
Puiluan Baptist Church pastor K Ashing invoked God’s blessings. Puiluan youth club displayed a beautiful Haipou Jadonang's parade and sang Haipou Jadonang's prayer song, seeking God's blessings by Puiluan Village Authority members.
Floral tributes were paid to the Naga freedom fighter Haipou Jadonang at his tomb.
D Gangmei also attended the Jadonang final football trophy as a chief guest at Nungba headquarter, Noney district.
In his chief guest speech, he said that the “Zeliangrong people must strive and work together for the well being and welfare of our people and society as our freedom fighter Haipou Jadonang did in his days.” Colourful traditional dance and songs were the main highlights of the programme.
ALSO READ: Candle lighting, floral tributes mark 90th death anniversary of Haipou Jadonang
Joint Tribes council of Zeme Naga Council, Rongmei Naga Council, Liangmai Naga Council and Inpui Naga Union under the aegis of Naga United Council on Sunday observed the 90th Martyr Day of Haipou Jadonang at Shekinuh Inn Tamenglong district headquarters.
Prominent leaders from United Naga Council, (UNC) Manipur, Naga Women Union, All Naga Students Association Manipur (ANSAM), members from federal units of joint tribe councils attended the programme.
Speaking on the occasion, UNC president S Kho John said that Zeliangrong people are the most scattered among Naga brothers and lamented that there is disunity among the people.
It is high time for the people of Tamenglong, also like Ukhrul, Senapati or Chandel to become united in order to be assets to the Naga movement.
He also urged the joint tribe councils to reduce the internal feud and division among Zeliangrong brothers and strengthen the Naga movement and for the welfare of the younger generation.
Naga Women Union president Asha Wungam, ANSAM general secretary AC Thotso, Joint Tribe Councils president and secretary also spoke on the occasion.
In his address, Joint tribe council president Ramkung said that Haipou Jadonang resisted the Hill's house tax and forced labour against the British government by upholding that Nagas are free and no one should rule over them.
Haipou Jadonang also visualised a kingdom (Makam Gwangdi) of his people which was described by the British as the Naga Raj, he added.
Haipou Jadonang was arrested for the alleged proclamation of the Naga Raj. He was executed at Imphal on August 29, 1931. He was a social and religious reformer and political rebel, he added.
The Martyr Day was also observed at Longmai Part III, in Noney district where ADC Tamenglong Member Zino Kamei attended as chief guest.
